Government

SPEECH BY MINISTER OF HOUSING, LANDS AND MAINTENANCE, THE HONOURABLE DWIGHT SUTHERLAND’S AT THE FIRST COLLOQUIUM ON TRANSFORMING THE LAND TRANSACTION PROCESS IN BARBADOS

The event was held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Conference Centre last Friday October 11, 2024

It is a pleasure, and indeed an honour, for me to stand before you this morning to deliver these opening remarks at this, the first ever event of this nature to be hosted by the Housing and Lands Ministry, which is targeted at bringing about transformation of the land transaction and conveyancing processes in Barbados. My officers in the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance and I are truly encouraged by the level of interest and enthusiasm that we have seen demonstrated by stakeholders in responding to the call to participate in this colloquium. What this suggests to me is that practitioners in the various fields of work are just as enthused as we are, by the prospects of seeing improvements in the level of efficiency involved with the conveyancing of land.

Allow me from the start to extend my heartfelt thank you to all those Associations, Agencies and Departments, who at relatively short notice, have answered the call to deliver papers on their various areas of expertise. Your contributions here today, I am sure, will all be well received and appreciated. I also extend apologies on behalf of the Honourable Attorney General, who is currently preparing for the Bar Call, but will join us during the course of the day.

Ladies and gentlemen, today we stand at a pivotal crossroads in land transactions—a process that appears to have become bogged down by inefficiencies, complexities, and perhaps outdated practices.

The Colloquium being held this morning is the realization of a promise made earlier this year, in March, when the Honourable Prime Minister, in delivering the Budgetary Proposals and Financial Statement (2024) committed to having, and I quote: “the Minister of Housing and the Attorney General to jointly convene a colloquium amongst all of the stakeholders to review all of the systems and processes relating to transactions involving real estate and to recommend and oversee in the immediate future, the implementation of these recommendations.” The need for such an event was contemplated as a move towards deconstructing and reconstructing the processes associated with land transactions.

The Prime Minister in her Budget Speech had expressed concern regarding the inordinate length of time taken to complete real estate transactions in the country During discussions with various stakeholders, the point was made that it can take months, even years, to complete a single land transaction in Barbados, while in other jurisdictions the process can be completed in a much shorter time. The Caymans Island, for example, can complete a mortgage in as little time as a week. Other countries with considerable shorter periods for completing land transaction include New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, Ireland, Singapore, Canada, and St. Lucia. This inefficiency not only frustrates buyers and sellers, but also deters potential investors who seek quicker returns and seamless experiences.

It is with this in mind that the government sees it as imperative that the land transaction process be transformed, as part of measure that could stimulate economic growth. A streamlined land transaction process can attract both local and foreign investors, boost property values, and increase tax revenues. It can furthermore facilitate sustainable development by making land more readily accessible for essential projects—housing, infrastructure, and commercial ventures, in a timely manner.

Today you will hear Presentations from several Stakeholders, from both the Private and Public sectors, who deal with land transaction matters on a daily basis. This includes the Barbados Bar Association who will provide a comprehensive overview of the land transaction processes, in both the public and private sectors, and the legislation affecting land transactions.

Today, ladies and gentlemen, we hope that you will garner a better understanding and appreciation for the work undertaken by the officers in my Ministry in the area of land transactions. Hardworking officers, who despite the negative stigma associated with being an employee in the public sector, work tirelessly towards identifying solutions for streamlining processes, including those related to technological advancements.

Many persons would be surprised to hear of the wide range of areas in which the Land and Surveys Department is involved. This extends to providing support to several Government Departments and Agencies in areas of expertise that belies what would be expected based on its name, and this is achieved despite limited resources. Allow me to briefly highlight some of the excellent work being undertaken by this Department.

During the year 2023, the Lands and Surveys Department would have been the recipient of the Special Achievement in GIS Award. This International Award was in recognition of its achievement with:

1) The creation and utilization of a Barbados Building Identifier (BBID) to provide a unique identification of all building structures on the island.

(2) The Creation of the Barbados GeoPortal. This portal is a first for Barbados and creates a single point of reference for all geospatial data for the island of Barbados.

(3) The creation of a National Digital Parcel Fabric (NDPF) which is a digital representation of all land parcels for the island of Barbados and serve to provide underlying data for land information analysis. This National Digital Parcel Fabric was developed with the support of the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST).

The Department has furthermore developed initiatives within the land registration programme for the identification of registered parcels. A demarcations E-Form has also been developed to be utilized for data collection prior to the start of the demarcation exercise, which can also be utilized by the public.

They have established a Continuous Operating Reference Station (CORS) System for the provision of provisional information for GPS users and holders of GPS survey grade devices. A Geo-Portal has furthermore been established. This is a single space for all geo-spatial data, where State Agencies can place their geo-spatial information for easy access.

The Surveyors among us would already be aware and are benefitting from the Survey Information Management System. With the establishment of this system, Land Surveyors no longer have to physically visit the Lands and Surveys Department to conduct their research, but now have access to this on-line platform 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The presentations today will furthermore take a look at the enhanced use of technology for improving efficiencies and reducing the time taken in effecting transactions. By the end of the day, it is anticipated that we will have a better appreciation for what would be required for the country to move towards electronic conveyancing.

When we speak of electronic conveyancing, often referred to as e-conveyancing, we are alluding to the digital process of transferring property ownership and handling related documentation through electronic means. It encompasses everything from the initial offer and acceptance to the final transfer of funds and registration of the property title. This method employs advanced technologies such as secure online platforms, blockchain, and electronic signatures to facilitate transactions that are faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before.

On your Agenda to-day is a session on “Digital Transformations in the Land Transaction Process”. During this session you will receive a presentation from Sagicor Bank, the only digital bank in Barbados. We will also be introduced to an innovative system being developed by a young Attorney-at-Law, that would allow parties in a transaction to communicate in real-time in a virtual world, allowing easier access to documents and the ability to know your customers better. This would eliminate the potential for fraud and allow transactions to be completed quickly. We will also hear how Artificial Intelligence can be used to extract information from deeds, in a manner that could remove the potential for error and eliminate the need for the time-consuming examination of legal documents, thus shortening the land adjudication process.

In conclusion, I believe that we can all agree that transforming the land transaction process is not just a necessity but an opportunity—a chance to improve efficiencies, encourage investment, and drive economic growth. By embracing technology, and fostering public-private collaborations, we can create a legal environment that is not only efficient but also attractive to investors.

I look forward to listening to the various presentations here today and I am sure that at the end of the day we would have achieved a roadmap on the way forward.

Let us work together to pave the way for a more efficient and accessible land transaction process. Thank you for your attention, and I look forward to the discussions on the changes that can be made to render the transformation of the land transaction process a reality. (PR)

Government

Donna Babb-Agard Sworn In As High Court Judge

This island’s first female Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and an acting Judge in the High Court, Donna Babb-Agard, was officially sworn in yesterday as a Justice of the High Court by President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, at State House.

Mrs. Babb-Agard was accompanied by her husband Sean Agard, mother Euleene Babb and close friend Clarine Cave, who witnessed the administering of the oaths.

The High Court Judge, whose wide and varied career in the judicial system spanned over 33 years, said she was “grateful for this opportunity in reaching the pinnacle of that career”.

Madam Justice Babb-Agard stated: “I am just really thankful to God today for the opportunity to serve my country. I am thankful to the Government of Barbados and the Judicial Appointment committee for reposing this confidence in me. I intend to continue to do my best in this job. I am no shirker…hard work won’t kill me, and so, I’m going to continue to serve as best I can to be fair and continue to work with integrity.

“The law is a ‘jealous mistress’ but I think sometimes you also have to balance that with making sure that you look after yourself mentally and physically. But I think that I’m up to the task. So, I really appreciate this opportunity and I’m grateful for it.”

The High Court Judge shared that her legal career began in private practice as a defence attorney in 1991, before transitioning to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in July 1992.

Justice Babb-Agard also served as Magistrate for a short period before assuming the role as this country’s first female Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and then later, as the DPP. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and new Justice of the High Court, Donna Babb-Agard, at State House

Government

Her Royal Highness Anne Visits RSS Headquarters

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, paid an official visit to the Regional Security System (RSS) Headquarters yesterday. She was presented with an overview of the organisation’s strategic operations and received updates on its ongoing partnership with the United Kingdom.

Accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, His Excellency Simon Mustard, and her Private Secretary, Captain John Boyd, The Princess Royal was warmly received by Deputy Executive Director of the RSS, Mr. Atlee Rodney, along with senior members of the RSS leadership team.

As part of her visit, The Princess Royal was given a virtual tour of the RSS’ operational functions, showcasing the critical role the organisation plays in supporting security and stability across its eight Member States.

The tour highlighted advancements in regional cooperation, intelligence sharing, and the use of technology to strengthen public safety efforts.

In his remarks, Mr. Rodney expressed his appreciation for the visit, stating: “We were deeply honoured to host Her Royal Highness today. Her sincere interest in the work of the RSS and her meaningful engagement with our officers were both uplifting and inspiring. The United Kingdom has been a valuable partner in our mission, and this visit further reinforces that enduring relationship.”

Speaking about the importance of international collaboration and the UK’s ongoing support for security initiatives in the region, His Excellency Simon Mustard, affirmed: “Our shared commitment to regional security and resilience continues to grow, and I am proud of the enduring partnership between the United Kingdom and our Caribbean allies.”

Her Royal Highness was presented with a plaque on behalf of the RSS before touring the RSS Fusion Centre, where she observed the deployment of modern technologies aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and responsiveness of law enforcement across the region. (PR)

Government

Prime Minister Mottley: Regional Logistics Hub To Save Lives

The establishment of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence is a critical step in stabilising Caribbean civilisation.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, acknowledged the collaborative effort of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the European Union, the governments of Canada and the United States of America, along with the World Food Programme, to turn the discussion of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence, from an idea into a reality.

“What we are doing here today is truly, truly about being able to save lives and to be able to stabilise this Caribbean civilisation. We thank the World Food Programme for servicing us out of Panama, and while we thank you for servicing us from there, we understand that if you have a hub within the region, the time to location, the time to be able to save lives, is much, much quicker, and to that extent, therefore, the combined efforts of Panama, working with Barbados, will hopefully be a major game changer for those who have become the victims predominantly, but not exclusively, of a climate crisis…,” she stated.

Prime Minister Mottley explained that the global situation of geopolitics has led to disruptions at a time when the Caribbean region hasn’t had time to plan for it.

She added: “We have been a resilient people, and we will continue to be a resilient people…I have said to not only my people here in Barbados, but across the region, to our governments, that we are going to have to take responsibility for more of what is necessary to save and protect our people.”

The Prime Minister suggested that one of the reasons why Barbados has been chosen to be the home of the Caribbean Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence, was as a result of its geographical location.

“We did the opening a few years ago… and this is also about positioning Barbados, leveraging our geography… I said then [that] geography matters, and because Barbados is the most easterly, a judgment was made that, given the fact that we are less likely to be hit than most, this is probably the safest place.

“If you have to wait on stuff to come from Panama, that’s 1200 miles away. If you have to bring stuff from Miami, [that is] 1500 miles away…So having Barbados located, along with the fact that CDEMA has established itself here as its headquarters and the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology is there in Husbands in St James. It is just a perfect conclusion to what would otherwise be systems in there.”

She said that the region must now ensure that establishing such organisations was not just about high level academics and policy, but making sure that food could get to people.

“A warehouse on its own will not do that, and therefore the connectivity, the digital connectivity, is utterly critical as well. And then, of course, why is it at the airport? Because you’re not only servicing Barbados, so goods are coming in and going back out.”

The Prime Minister emphasised the necessity for us to ‘help ourselves’ as a country, and referenced the ‘Resilience and Regeneration fund which was established in March of this year, where every person and entity, led by the government of Barbados, will contribute 3.5 per cent of GDP annually to ensure that the fund is bolstered to be able to meet the needs of Barbadians and combined with the savings from the ‘Climate Disaster Resilience’ clauses, will provide the opportunity to mitigate against the worst impacts of a system hitting our country.

Prime Minister Mottley was of the view that a similar approach could be maintained across the region, bolstering the ability to work in tandem with what was happening in Barbados with initiatives such as the Regional Logistics Hub.

Highlighting the contribution of the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter Day Saints to the Hub, she stated: “We do not take for granted your commitment and your contribution, and we use this opportunity to urge others to recognise that this region must first and foremost, stabilise life. It is essential. And if that is the case, then those activities and those donations that are necessary first to stabilise life must come before things that are not necessary, but that are highly desirable or optional last…”

The Prime Minister reminded the stakeholders, diplomats and members from visiting delegations about the importance of having the heads of government across the region seeking to first deliver more from their countries, and to bridge the gap internationally not just with money, but with technology and support systems that will give the region the benefit of early warning systems to Caribbean people, so that loss of life can be minimised.

“Luckily, in this region, you have not seen the scale of loss of life as you might otherwise have seen if we did not have the communication tools to tell people how to protect themselves. I fear that if the Hurricane Hunter and others are no longer going out early enough to give us the precise data that we need, that it is lives that will now be at risk as a result of that decision.” (PR/GIS)